The Secret Marriage

Chapter 7: Henry Davies, the English guy

A knock on Lana’s room woke her up from her slumber. She had gone straight to bed with a silk robe after a long warm shower. Lana had forgotten the delightful feeling of an actual bed against her fatigued body or the softness of the feeling of  an Egyptian cotton bedsheet on her skin.  

The room was dark, and Lana realized that she had been sleeping the whole day. A dark silhouette approached her, and she knew who it belonged to. The scene was almost familiar, the moonlight from outside the window illuminated parts of him. As he came closer, she was sure that it was Cameron himself. He came straight from work and was wearing the same outfit as he had in the morning. 

Lana was still lying down in her comfortable position with a warm blanket over her. She was not on her guard as she was before. She was mentally and physically drained to keep her walls up. 

She could feel a dip on the soft bed. Cameron was sitting down on the edge. They were silent as they looked at each other, their breathing matched up and form a rhythm. 

Cameron felt apologetic seeing Lana in such a state. However, he liked this mellow side of her. His protective side made him want to protect her even more. It was harder than he thought to make Lana comply with his demands. He was expecting some resistance, but not to this extent. He would have preferred not to use any underhanded method to his future wife. But her stubbornness was difficult to crack through. 

“It was at Charles’s memorial. Your eyes were red and your cheeks were flushed. I went over to offer my condolences, but you didn’t lift your head to look at me. Philip told me it was hard on you since Charles was the only one left in your family. That night, I decided that I would protect you from tears.” Cameron recalled the time he saw Lana. Before she became infamous, she was just a sweet and simple girl who loved her father. 

Tears rolled down Lana’s cheek down to the feathered pillow. That day she could remember nothing except for grief. It was too sudden; they were just talking the day before and suddenly he was found on his bed motionless. She could not get over the fact that her father had gone overnight.

“After that, you were everywhere, in the newspapers, magazines and not for a good reason. Different from what I expected of you. Destroying Sage’s legacy as you go.”

“That is why you want this marriage to be a secret because you are afraid that I would destroy Lance’s name as well?”

Lana perceived Cameron’s silence as the truth. Who would want to take her as a wife after her notorious reputation? Everyone could see that she wasn’t wife material. 

Lana got out from under the covers and sat down beside Cameron. He could smell the shampoo on Lana’s flowing locks. 

“I have nothing to lose, have I? I’m done running away. Let’s do this. Let’s have a secret marriage,” Lana stuck out her hand to shake his. Her silk robe was not tied properly, causing part of her cleavage to be exposed. 

Cameron came closer to her, putting his hand beside hers. For a moment, Lana froze. He took the loose strap on the robe and tied it properly before standing up. Ignoring her handshake, he said, “I will see you in the morning.”

∞

“Will I even have a proper wedding reception?” Lana asked herself. She was in Cameron Lance's office, which was as huge as Philip’s office. The walls were white, and his furniture was black - just like his soul. Sara, Cameron, Lana, Philip, and two other lawyers were sitting down on the leather sofa negotiating the marriage prenuptial contract.  

“Yes, we will hold a small wedding in my parent’s hometown,” suggested Cameron.

“Why do we have to go all that distance for a small wedding? I would rather sign the marriage papers at the town hall without any ceremony,” Lana replied. She didn’t want the hassle of going through a ceremony for this wedding. 

“It’s where my parents got married,” he continued. 

“Oh,” Lana couldn’t object. She did not know there was a sentimental bone in his body. It was sweet of him to share that information. Lana did not even know where her parent's wedding was held or even the date for that matter. 

“This is the best time to add your conditions,” advised Sage’s family lawyer. Lana thought about it the night before. She remembered how hard it was to get a job that paid well. She also realized that she will need some skills to protect her future, especially after those months of living and working her ass off every day to pay for rent and daily necessities. 

“I want a job in Lance Properties, preferably one of the director’s positions,” declared Lana. Philip spewed out the tea that he was sipping. Cameron smiled in amusement. Just when he thought he had her figured out, she proved him wrong. 

“What would a girl like yourself know about working in this industry? It will be better for you to stay home and enjoy the pay-out from the company,” voiced Philip. 

“There’s nothing to do at home. I want to work and earn my salary. This is my condition, accept it or leave it.”

“Nobody is telling you to stay home. Go out, go to a spa; you look like you need one.” Lana narrowed her eyes at Cameron’s remarks. It’s two against one. Lana mustered up her courage. 

“Listen up, Lance senior and junior, I want a position in Lance Properties. Do I need to repeat myself?” she snapped. She would not give up easily. Her patience was running thin. 

Cameron kept silent. He was considering Lana’s request. The first three buttons of his white shirt were undone. His wrist was fitted with a gold Rolex that probably was worth close to an average luxury car. 

“Like what you see?” He asked when he caught Lana staring at him.

“Nah, I was distracted by your shirt. You should learn how to wear it properly.” Lana would not admit that she found Cameron attractive. “Wear a tie too or a blazer. You will look more professional.” 

“I could but I won’t. Not for you who comes into my office wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Rule number one, Sage; don’t expect people to do things if you don’t even bother.” Lana could feel her face getting warmer. She was embarrassed by him. Her attempt to insult him backfired. 

“Have you thought about my conditions?” she asked, trying to change the topic. 

“Which position do you want?” 

“What’s yours?”

“I’m the Chief Executive Officer. You shouldn’t even dream of being in my position. You should start small. Without your last name, your experience and qualifications would merely land you a job as an office admin.” Cameron said the truth, a lot more outstanding applicants applied to Lance Properties every year and to be honest, despite coming from an Ivy League, her CV was not as impressive. 

“No way that I’m going to be an office admin. I want a position in higher management. As I said, one of the directors,” Lana retaliated.

“Very well then, I will discuss with Philip in private and pick a suitable position for you.” Cameron didn’t want to elaborate further. He will make up a position for her if he had to. 

“Sara, please put this matter in tomorrow’s meeting agenda,” he told his secretary. “Don’t forget to attend the meeting, and please wear something proper,” Cameron told Lana. 

Lana rolled her eyes, making a mental note of tomorrow’s plan. 

“I would like to add another condition in lieu to both of your conditions,” interrupted Philip. He has been thinking thoroughly. If his son found a loophole, so could he. “I want the two of you to stay in Lance Mansion.”

“You cannot be serious.”

“What?!” 

Lana and Cameron were both shocked at his proposal. Lana thought with all the money she could buy herself her own mansion if she wanted. There was no reason for her to stay at Lance Mansion. 

“This or nothing at all,” ordered Philip. 

They both knew that they could not work around this situation. Eventually, they all agreed to stay in Lance Mansion provided they stayed in different rooms. Philip expected of this so he cunningly told the maids to get ready the guest room opposite Cameron’s room for the bride to be.

Their lawyers finished the final touches of their wedding contract. After reading thoroughly, both parties signed the agreement. 

∞

“Henry, I would like Lana to be attached to you,” Philip demanded. 

Philip had requested Henry’s presence before the meeting. He was concerned about Lana’s resolve to work in his company. He had to find a solution to make her think otherwise. 

“Charles’ daughter, Lana Sage?” Henry asked, unsure of the lady’s name that Philip uttered. 

“Yes. I want you to make her do most of your job.”

“By any chance, are you going to dismiss me from the company sir?” asked Henry. Philip’s proposal sounded fishy to him. Since Cameron Lance is the CEO, it makes sense for Charles’ daughter to be in his position. 

“Nonsense! I wouldn’t even let you quit on your own terms,” Philip laughed, amused by Henry’s direct question. “I want her to realize that working in Lance Properties isn’t a child’s play. Lana needs to learn that she can’t always have what she wants. Work her to the bone if you have to,” he added.

“Yes, I understand, sir. You can leave it to me,” obliged Henry.

“However, you shall oversee all her work. Her mistakes will be yours too.” 

Henry shivered, even after working with both Cameron and Philip for almost a decade, he was still afraid of the duo. He didn’t even want to think of what they would do to him if he betrayed them.